The Kwara State Government has directed an immediate anti-snake fumigation exercise across residential buildings, institutions and regulated premises, following reports of increasing snakebite incidents in parts of the state. The directive was issued through the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) on Saturday, with property owners and operators instructed to comply without delay.
The General Manager of KWEPA, Jide Aina, explained that the exercise is a preventive public safety measure designed to reduce the presence of snakes around homes, schools, offices, and other facilities. He emphasised that environmental safety practices must be strengthened to protect residents and ensure a healthier living environment.
Aina further urged residents and property owners to maintain proper sanitation, clear overgrown vegetation, and ensure effective waste disposal to discourage snakes from inhabiting populated areas. He also called on community leaders and landlords to support the government’s campaign by removing bushes and other potential hiding spots for reptiles.
The initiative by KWEPA comes amid growing national concern over the availability of anti-snake venom in hospitals, highlighted by the death of 25-year-old singer Ifunanya Nwangene, popularly known as Nanyah. She died on January 31, 2026, after being bitten by a cobra in her Abuja apartment, raising urgent calls for improved access to treatment and faster emergency responses.
KWEPA assured residents that the agency will continue to monitor environmental conditions across the state while enforcing measures to safeguard public health and promote environmental sustainability. Authorities emphasised that proactive participation by citizens is critical to preventing future snakebite incidents and ensuring community safety.
